Free Maine Permit Practice Test 3 (2026)
Real questions from the official Maine driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
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Get Smart Review & Mock ExamsWhat this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 6
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 6
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 3
- Vehicle Equipment — 2
- Adverse Conditions — 1
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 1
- Sharing the Road — 1
Heaviest on Right-of-Way & Intersections (6 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
Every question here applies nationwide.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. As you exit a parking lot across a sidewalk, a pedestrian is walking on the sidewalk. You must:
- Speed across quickly
- Honk and continue
- Proceed — sidewalk users must yield to cars
- Yield to the pedestrian before crossing the sidewalk
Show answer
Answer: Yield to the pedestrian before crossing the sidewalk
Vehicles crossing a sidewalk must yield to pedestrians already on it.
2. When pulling out from a driveway, alley, or parking lot onto a road, you must:
- Sound your horn and enter
- Stop only if a sign is posted
- Proceed — road traffic must yield to you
- Yield to traffic and pedestrians already on the road/sidewalk
Show answer
Answer: Yield to traffic and pedestrians already on the road/sidewalk
A driver entering from a private drive or alley must yield to vehicles and pedestrians already there.
3. The best place to be around a large truck is:
- Where you can see the driver's mirrors
- Right beside the cab
- In front, braking
- Directly behind it
Show answer
Answer: Where you can see the driver's mirrors
If you can see the mirrors, the driver can see you. Avoid the No-Zones.
4. When backing out of a parking space, you should:
- Reverse fast
- Honk and go
- Rely on the mirror
- Look over your shoulder and back slowly, watching for people and cars
Show answer
Answer: Look over your shoulder and back slowly, watching for people and cars
Look behind you and back slowly, watching for pedestrians and vehicles.
5. A muffler is required to:
- Increase speed
- Improve mileage only
- Reduce excessive noise and control exhaust
- Look sporty
Show answer
Answer: Reduce excessive noise and control exhaust
A working muffler is required to prevent excessive noise and control exhaust.
6. A pentagon-shaped sign means:
- Hospital
- No passing
- Dead end
- School zone or school crossing
Show answer
Answer: School zone or school crossing
The five-sided pentagon marks a school zone or crossing.
7. A school-zone sign is what color and shape?
- Orange diamond
- Red octagon
- Blue rectangle
- Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon
Show answer
Answer: Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon
School zones use a fluorescent yellow-green pentagon.
8. Passing on the right is permitted only when:
- Using the shoulder
- Never
- The vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room, or on a multilane road
- Anytime traffic is slow
Show answer
Answer: The vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room, or on a multilane road
You may pass on the right only when a vehicle is turning left (with room) or on a road with two or more lanes each way.
9. There is no amount of alcohol that is proven 'safe' before driving because:
- It's expensive
- It tastes bad
- Even small amounts impair skills you need
- Rules change
Show answer
Answer: Even small amounts impair skills you need
Impairment begins with the first drink — the safest amount before driving is none.
10. The correct order for a safe lane change is:
- Move over, then signal
- Signal, check mirrors and blind spot, then move over smoothly
- Move over and honk
- Brake, then move
Show answer
Answer: Signal, check mirrors and blind spot, then move over smoothly
Signal first, check mirrors and your blind spot, then change lanes smoothly.
11. When a traffic signal is not working (dark), the safest rule is:
- First car always goes
- Everyone stops forever
- Highest speed goes
- Treat it as a four-way stop
Show answer
Answer: Treat it as a four-way stop
A dark signal = four-way stop; take turns in the order you arrive.
12. At a four-way stop, if the driver to your right stopped just before you, then:
- You both go
- The driver on the right goes first
- You go first
- Largest vehicle goes
Show answer
Answer: The driver on the right goes first
First to stop goes first; here the right-hand driver stopped first, so they proceed.
13. Turning left from a driveway onto a road, you must yield to:
- Only pedestrians
- Only traffic from the left
- No one
- Traffic approaching from both directions and pedestrians
Show answer
Answer: Traffic approaching from both directions and pedestrians
Yield to all approaching traffic and pedestrians before turning out of a driveway.
14. Before a night trip you should check that:
- Only the radio works
- The seats recline
- All lights (head, tail, brake, signals) work
- The horn is loud
Show answer
Answer: All lights (head, tail, brake, signals) work
Make sure all your lights work before driving at night.
15. A pedestrian is in a crosswalk as you approach. You must:
- Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian
- Proceed if you get there first
- Honk so they hurry
- Only stop if a signal tells you to
Show answer
Answer: Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian
Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
16. What does this sign mean?
- Tunnel
- Divided highway
- Narrow bridge ahead
- Road widens
Show answer
Answer: Narrow bridge ahead
A narrow-bridge warning — the bridge ahead is narrower than the road; use caution.
17. The safest way to brake on a slippery road is to:
- Not brake at all
- Slam the brakes
- Pump violently
- Brake gently and early
Show answer
Answer: Brake gently and early
Gentle, early braking keeps traction; hard braking causes skids on slick roads.
18. What does this sign warn of?
- A detour
- A winding road — a series of curves ahead
- A one-way street
- A racetrack
Show answer
Answer: A winding road — a series of curves ahead
This warns of a winding road (several curves). Reduce speed.
19. A lane with a steady red 'X' signal above it means:
- Do not drive in that lane
- Passing lane
- The lane is open
- HOV only
Show answer
Answer: Do not drive in that lane
A red X over a lane means it is closed — do not drive in it.
20. What does this sign warn of?
- Divided highway ends / two-way traffic
- One-way street
- Merging traffic
- Passing lane
Show answer
Answer: Divided highway ends / two-way traffic
Opposing arrows warn of two-way traffic ahead (e.g., a divided highway ending). Keep right.